Refuse compactor



United States Patent w13,s37,39o

[72] Inventors Lester H. Hinkel 3,280,727 10/1966 Jonas 100/100 Benton Harbor; 3,353,478 11/1967 Hopkins 100/290X Gordon H. Brown and Robert M. Chandler, 3,357,346 12/1967 Crafoord l00/229X St. Joseph, Michigan 3,438,321 4/1969 Gladwin 100/226 [211 P 724,959 Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite [22] 1968 Attorney James S. Nettleton, Thomas E. Turcotte, Gene A. [45 F 1970 Beth, Burton H. Baker, Donald W. Thomas, Frank C. [73] Assgnee whirlpool Corporation Harter and Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman and McCord a corporation of Delaware [54] REFUSE COMPACTOR 13 m 15 Drawing Figs. ABSTRACT: A domestic refuse compactor including a 52] US. Cl. 100/100, drawer wherein household refuse is compacted by a ram 10 a 53/124; 100/52, 100/53, 100/99, IO fraction of its normal volume. The refuse is compacted in the loo/295; 308/33; 312/ 341 drawer within a suitable bag permitting the compacted refuse 1 Clh B30! 15/00 to be removed as a wrapped package for facilitated disposal. of Search The ompactor may be provided a freestanding movable 52, 308/3-8; cabinet or may be installed as a built-in structure in a conven- 312/341, 350 tional kitchen base cabinet. The ram is carried on a pair of Rererences Cited screw members to bridge the drawer and compact the refuse and return to a retracted position above the drawer permitting UNITED STATES PATENTS selective movement of the drawer to an open position for in- 3,208,372 9/1965 Taylor 100/290X troduction of refuse into the drawer.

Patented Nov. 3, 1970 Sheet 1 or 3 INVENTORS.

LESTER H. HINKEL GORDON H. BROWN ROBERT M. CHANDLER ATTORNEYS.

Pitented- Nov. 3, W70

Sheet 2 of 3 FlG. l2

Patented Nov. 3, 1970 3,537,390

Sheet '3 of 3 FIGS L] FIG. l5

REFUSE COMPACTOR SPECIFICATION This invention relates to refuse compactors and in particular to domestic refuse compactors.

In the conventional household, refuse, such as paper, cans, bottles and garbage is normally periodically removed from the kitchen to a suitable refuse can normally disposed outdoors. Such disposal of refuse requires in many cases daily transfer to the refuse cans. One of the reasons for the need of such frequent transfer is the relatively large bulk of such refuse. The placement of such refuse in the outdoor refuse cans raises a serious problem in many areas where animals may be able to get at the refuse therein. Further, the constant requirement of frequent transfer of such refuse is generally considered a nuisance.

The present invention comprises an improved refuse compactor which permits the containment of a substantial amount of refuse, for example, an amount as would represent the quantity of such refuse' normally accumulated in approximately one week by a family of three or four people.

One of the features of this invention is to provide an improved refuse compactor having a drawer in a cabinet with extensible roller support means for movably mounting the drawer in the cabinet for disposition either in an open position exteriorly of the cabinet to facilitate placing of refuse therein or a closed hidden positionwithin the cabinet in combination with a ram above the closed drawer and means for forcing the ram into the drawer when desired to compact refuse therein.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a refuse compactor including a support, a drawer, means for movably mounting the drawer on the support for selective disposition in an open position wherein refuse may be placed therein and a closed position, a ram, means on the support carrying the ram for selective movement toward the drawer in the closed position to compact refuse therein and to a retracted position permitting movement of the drawer to the open position, the ram and carrying means bridging the drawer in the retracted position.

A further feature of the invention is to providean improved refuse compactor including a movable drawer and including clamp means for retaining a disposable wrapper for the compacted refuse in the drawer.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of such a refuse compactor wherein the drawer mounting means includes a pair of tracks, means for movably supporting the drawer for movement along the tracks, and means for precluding support of the drawer by the tracks and supporting means in the closed position.

Yet another feature of the invention is the provision of such a refuse compactor wherein the drawer is arranged to be fully removable from the support when desired.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a domestic refuse compactor embodying the invention with a modified form of control integral with the connecting plug illustrated in dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the domestic refuse compactor with the drawer in the open position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of domestic refuse compactor embodying the invention installed in a conventional kitchen base cabinet;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the compactor apparatus as carried on the support base;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation thereof;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section takensubstantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 4, with the drawer in a retracted position;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section taken with the drawer of FIG..8 in an open position;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the drawer;

FIG. II is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section taken substantially along the line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary side elevation of a domestic refuse compactor embodying the invention having a modified form of drive means wherein the motor is mounted on the base rearwardly of the drawer;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary top plan view thereof;

FIG. 14 is a schematic wiring diagram of the control of the domestic refuse compactor shown in full lines in FIGS. l and 2; and

FIG. 15 is a schematic wiring diagram of the control of the domestic refuse compactor shown in dotted lines in FIG. I.

In the exemplary embodiments of the invention as shown in the drawing, a domestic refuse compactor 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to comprise a freestanding portable appliance wherein a drawer 11 is movable to be selectively disposed in a retracted position within a cabinet 12, as shown in FIG. I, and in an open position accessible from the front of the cabinet 12, as shown in FIG. 2, for placement of refuse therein. The cabinet 12 may be provided with suitable roller carrying means, such as casters 13, for facilitated movement of the appliance as desired. The drawer 11 includes a front panel 14 carrying a handle I5 for manual movement of the drawer to the retracted and open positions. The drawer may be internally lined with a suitable refuse wrapper or bag 16 held in place by elongated clips 17 embracing the bag and the upper edges 18 of the drawer. The drawer 11 may be provided with a FIG. 3, the drawer 11 may be installed in a conventional kitchen base cabinet 20 by omitting the casters 13 used with the cabinet 12. Operation of the compactor may be manually controlled by suitable control means 21 carried on a front panel portion 22 of the cabinet 12, or, alternatively, may be controlled by a control 23 provided in a plug 24 adapted to be connected to a conventional household power supply receptacle (not shown).

The top wall 25 of cabinet 12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, may comprise a wood cutting block. The height of the cabinet 12 may be preselected to permit fitted installation in the conventional counter 20 as desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 6, the compactor ap paratus, generally designated 26, is mounted within the cabinet 12, or base cabinet 20, and comprises a pair of heavy screws 27 and 28 upstanding, from a base 29, at opposite sides of the drawer 11. The lower ends of the screws are rotatably carried in suitable journals 30 on the base 29 and the upper ends of the screws are rotatably carried in suitable journals 31 on an upper plate32. The screws 27 and 28 are concurrently rotated by a chain 33 engaging a sprocket'34 on the lowcr'cnd of screw 27 and a sprocket 35 on the lower end of screw 28. The chain 33 is driven by a sprocket 36 carried on the lower end of a drive shaft 37 rotatably carried on the base by journal means 38 and on the plate 32 by journal means 39. The shaft 37 is, in turn, driven by a pulley 40. A drive motor 41 is mounted on a suitable bracket 42 depending from the plate 32 and the shaft 43 thereof is provided with a pulley 44 to drive a belt 45,-which in turn drives the pulley 40. I

Refuse in drawer 11 is compacted therein by a ram 46 car ried by a cross member 47 which is supported at its opposite ends by a first upright member '48 and a second upright member 49 at opposite sides of the ram. The members 48 and 49 are connected, respectively, through springs 88 to the screws 27 and 28 by nut means 50 and 51 (see FIG. 6)

whereby concurrent rotation of the screws 27 and 28 selec-- tively clockwise and counterclockwise effects concurrent upward and downward movement of the nut means 50 and 51 and corresponding upward or downward movement of the ram 46. As best seen in FIG. 4, the vertical height of the ram 46 is less than that of the drawer 11. The ram may be tapered in transverse cross section generally similarly to the tapered transverse cross section of drawer 11. To prevent sticking of adherent refuse and the like to the ram, the ram may be provided with a suitable cover 52 which may be removably secured thereto by suitable conventional connectors 53. Illustratively, the cover 52 may be formed of Teflon (tetrafluoroethylene) or other similar low friction material.

As shown in FIG. 2, the drawer 11 is movably carried in the cabinet 12, or base cabinet 20, by a pair of suitable track means 54. Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, each track means 54 herein is seen to comprise a first track 55 carried on the side wall 56 of the drawer 11 and having a forwardly, upwardly angled end 57 of a top flange 58 thereof. A reversely similar track 59 is mounted on side wall 60 of the cabinet on base 29 with rearwardly, downwardly angled rear end 61 of the lower flange 62 thereof. A first roller 63 is rotatably mounted on the track 55 in the rear end thereof for rolling movement forwardly along the flange 62 of the track 59 when the drawer is moved from the retracted position of FIG. 7 to the open position of FIG. 8. A second roller 64 is rotatably mounted on the second track 59 in the forward end thereof to be engaged by the flange 58 of the first track to rollingly carry the flange as the drawer is moved to the open position of FIG. 8.

Thus, as best seen in FIG. 8, when the drawer is in the closed position of FIG. 1, the roller 63 and the track 55 are dropped by the weight of the drawer and refuse therein so that the bottom wall 65 of the drawer rests on the base 29. Thus, the force of the ram acting downwardly on the refuse is directed against the bottom wall of the drawer on base 29 rather than against the rollers for improved positive compaction of the refuse without distortion or damage to the roller and track means.

The ram effectively compresses refuse and the like deposited in the drawer 11 to approximately percent to 25 percent of its original volume. When the bag 16 is effectively filled with compacted refuse, the top of the bag may be folded over the compacted refuse to provide an enclosed package for facilitated removal. The bag may be self-sealing. Thus, the bagged refuse may be placed outdoors without the need for placement in a refuse can or the like. It has been found that a filled bag of refuse may weigh approximately 25 to 35 pounds, thus permitting facilitated removal from the drawer while yet effectively maximizing the amount of refuse which may be so removed. The ram provides sufficient pressure to crush paper, trash and the like, and, depending upon the distribution, even tin cans and bottles for compaction thereof. It may be preferable that garbage, includingwet garbage, be disposed-of by a conventional garbage disposal unit, thereby eliminating the need for making the bag 16 waterproof. However, the invention comprehends such waterproof construction of the bag where desired.

The refuse compactor 10 may be automatically controlled by the control 21, as shown in FIG. 14, or control 23, as shown in FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 14, control 21 includes a plurality of electrical components connected across power supply leads L, and L The motor 41 includes a first winding 66 and a second winding 67, each having one end connected to power supply lead L Energization of the motor 41 is controlled by a normally open switch 68b controlled by a suitable relay coil 68a, a normally closed switch 680 controlled by the relay coil 68a, and a normally closed limit switch 69 which opens when the ram is at the upper limit of its travel. A signal light 70 is connected across the motor windings 66 and 67 to be illuminated whenever the motor is energized in either direction of rotation to indicate the operation of the compactor to the user. A suitable capacitor 71 may be placed in parallel with the signal light 70 which in the illustrated embodiment comprises a 230 volt neon pilot lamp.

Energization of the relay coil 68a is controlled by a normally open Start" push button" 72 connected in series with the relay coil 68a through a pair of normally closed load limit switches 73 carried by the upright members 48 and 49 to be engaged by actuators 74 on the nut means 50 and 51 when the back force on the ram reaches a preselected maximum value such as 1,500 pounds. A normally closed safety limit switch 75 is mounted on base 29 to be engaged by an actuator 76 on the upright member 48. A normally open drawer interlock switch 77 is provided on base 29 to open when the drawer is moved away from the closed position. A normally closed Up" push button 78 is connected in parallel with Start push button 72 in series with a normally open switch 68d controlled by relay coil 68a.

Thus, when the user depresses Start" push button 72 with the drawer in the closed position of FIG. 1, the ram being then at the upper retracted position of FIG. 4, relay coil 68a is energized to close switch 68b and thereby energize motor 41. As discussed above, the motor 41 includes a first winding 66 and a second winding 67. Either of the windings 66 and 67 may be connected, via control 21, in series relation with a capacitor 71 (shown in FIG. 14), and in parallel with the other winding. At any given time, one of the motor windings 66 or 67, depending upon the state of energization of coil 68a, will be connected in series with the capacitor 71, with the other motor winding being connected in parallel across the line. Rotation of the motor 41 in the reverse direction is then accomplished by operating control 21 to connect the capacitor 71 in series with the other winding, with both windings being connected in parallel across L, and L,. As illustrated, in order to move the ram downward toward the receptacle, the coil 68a is energized causing normally closed switch 68c to open and normally open switch 68b to close. The motor is then energized across L, and L, through connections in which capacitor 71 is connected in series with motor winding 67 and in parallel with motor winding 66. In order to return the ram to the retracted position, the coil 68 is deenergized establishing connections in which switch 68b is open and switch 68c is closed, connecting motor 41 across L, and L, with capacitor 71 in series with winding 66 and in'parallel with winding 66.

Normally closed limit switch 69 opens interrupting energization when the ram is at the upper limit of its travel, as shown in FIG. 4.

The signal lamp 70 is connected across the capacitor 71 and, thus, is illuminated whenever the motor 41 is energized to operate in either direction to indicate energization of the motor. The lamp 71 may comprise a conventional 230 volt neon pilot lamp.

As soon as the ram moves away from the upper position after the Start push button is depressed, limit switch 69 closes, but switch 68c is opened by the energization of coil 68a to prevent energization of the motor at this time. The user may release push button 72 as the normally open switch 68d is now closed by the energization of relay coil 68a to maintain the circuit to the coil through the normally closed push button 78 and switches 73, 75 and 77. When the compaction of the refuse in drawer 11 produces a sufficient back force on the ram, one or both of the load switches 73 open breaking the circuit to the relay coil 68a and thereby opening switch 68b. However, switch 680 now recloses and, as switch 69 is now closed, the motor 41 is energized to move the ram back to the upper position of FIG. 4. The upward movement of the ram is stopped and the lamp 70 extinguished by the opening of the switch 69.

As indicated above, the control of the compactor may be effected through a modified circuit, as shown in FIG. 15, wherein the manual control is in the plug 24. Thus, as shown in FIG. 15, the control 23 is identical to the control 21, except that the push buttons 72 and 78 and the signal light 70 are disposed in the plug 24 and connected to the compactor through a suitable multiconductor cable 79. Thus, control 23 functions identically to control 21 as described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, a modified form of drive means for driving ram 46 isshown to comprise an electric motor 80 mounted on a bottom plate 81 secured to base 29 and carrying a top plate 82. A shaft 83 is journaled on plates 81 and 82 by suitable bearings 84. The lower end of the shaft extends through the plate 81 and carries the sprocket 36. The upper end of the shaft extends upwardly through the top plate 82 and carries the pulley 40. The pulley 44 is carried on the upper end of the motor shaft 85 which extends upwardly through the plate 82 for driving the pulley 40 through the belt 45. Thus, as shown in FIG. 12, the drive may be disposed entirely rearwardly of the drawer 11 on base 29. Such a drive installation may, for example, be utilized in connection with a conventional kitchen cabinet such as one having a 15 inch or an 18 inch width. The upper arrangement of the motor and drive, as shown in FIG. 5, may also be utilized where advantageous, for example, in a conventional kitchen counter cabinet.

At times, complete removal of the drawer 11 from the appliance may be desired. To permit such removal, the upper flange 86 of the track 59 may be cut away as at 87 at the forward end thereof permitting the rollers 63 to be moved upwardly therethrough when the drawer is in the fully forward position thereof.

As discussed above, the compactor 10 provides a number of highly desirable advantages for domestic use. Thus, the nuisance of daily removal ofthe trash and refuse to an outside refuse can is avoided. During peak periods of trash collection, such as during spring cleaning, a substantial amount of trash may be compacted without overtaxing the normal removal facilities. As discussed above, under normal conditions, the conventional refuse can may be eliminated and the trash merely placed in the outside removal location in the closed bag 16. Further, by providing compaction, savings may be effected in areas where extra charges are made by the municipality for trash collection over a preselected standard amount. Further, the bagging of the refuse provides automatic compliance with the bagged refuse disposal requirements of many communities. The use of the portable compactor 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 permits a collection of refuse at a desired location other than necessarily in the kitchen or, more specifically, adjacent the sink. The simplicity of the compactor construction permits the compactor to be relatively inexpensive, while yet providing the highly desirable features discussed above.

While we have shown and described certain embodiments of our invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed is defined as follows:

We claim:

I. A domestic refuse compactor comprising: a cabinet; a drawer; extensible guide means for movably mounting the drawer in said cabinet for substantially rectilinear movement of the drawer for selective disposition in an open position at least partially exteriorly of said cabinet wherein refuse may be placed therein and a closed position within said cabinet; a ram; and means in said cabinet carrying said ram for selective movement toward the bottom of said drawer in said closed position to compact refuse therein and to a retracted position permitting movement of said drawer to said open position, said ram and carrying means bridging said drawer in said retracted position.

2. The domestic refuse compactor of claim 1 wherein said cabinet comprises a freestanding cabinet.

3. The domestic refuse compactor of claim 1 including roller means for movably carrying said cabinet.

4. The domestic refuse compactor of claim 1 wherein said ram carrying means comprises a pair of parallel screws, means threadedly engaging said screws and sup ortin said ram therebetween, and means for concurrenly ro atrng said screws.

5. The domestic refuse compactor of claim 1 wherein said ram carrying means includes a drive motor disposed in a space within said cabinet above the level of the top of the drawer in the closed position of said drawer.

6. The domestic refuse compactor of claim 1 wherein said cabinet includes a base subjacent said drawer, and said carrying means includes a drive motor mounted on said base rearwardly of said drawer when said drawer is in the closed position.

7. The domestic refuse compactor of claim 1 including means for releasably retaining a wrapper in said drawer for receiving said refuse.

8. The domestic refuse compactor of claim 7 wherein said clamp means comprises resilient means engaging said wrapper and drawer.

9. The domestic refuse compactor of claim 8 wherein said drawer has an open top bounded by edges, said wrapper comprises an open top bag, and said clamp means comprises a-plurality of spring clips releasably retaining said bag open top on said drawer edges.

10. The domestic refuse compactor of claim 1 wherein said drawer mounting means includes means for causing said drawer to be effectively removed from said guide means and positively supported in said cabinet in said closed position.

11. The domestic refuse compactor of claim 10 including means for selectively separating said drawer fully from said guide means.

12,-A domestic refuse compactor comprising:

a cabinet;

a drawer;

means for movably mountingthe drawer in said cabinet for selective disposition in an open position wherein .refuse may beplac'ed therein and a closed position, said drawer mounting means including a pair of tracks, means for movably supporting said drawer for movement along said tracks, and means for precluding support of said drawer by said tracks and supporting means in said closed position;

a ram; and

means in said cabinet carrying said ram for selective movement toward said drawer in said closed position to compact refuse therein and to a retracted position permitting movement of said drawer to said open position.

13. The domestic refuse compactor of claim 12 wherein said tracks include a first track on said drawer and a second, parallel track on said cabinet base, and said means for movably supporting said drawer includes a first roller on said cabinet base for engaging said first track, and a second roller on said drawer for engaging said second track, said tracks being constructed to preclude said engagement of the rollers therewith in said closed position of the drawer.

27 23 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,537,390 Dated November 3, 1970 Inventor) Lester H. Hinkel, Gordon H. Brown and Robert M. Chand] It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 7, line 22, insert the word --clamp-- following "1 "including".

Signed and sealed this 6th day of July 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FIE'I'CHER,JR. Atteating Officer WILLIAM E. SGHUYLER, J'R. Commissioner of Patents 

